IRS seeks people eligible for stimulus checks

PORTSMOUTH — The Internal Revenue Service is looking for people who normally do not need to file a tax return, but who must if they want to receive their stimulus check.

Karen Dandurant

PORTSMOUTH — The Internal Revenue Service is looking for people who normally do not need to file a tax return, but who must if they want to receive their stimulus check.

“We’re targeting those on social security or veterans benefits or those who make below the limit where they would be required to file a return,” said Peggy Riley, New England IRS media relations specialist. “This year they have to file a tax return if they receive at least $3,000 in benefits. They won’t get a stimulus check unless they do.”

Riley said the IRS sent out a letter and a sample tax return to those who qualify. She said they are working with members of Congress, state and local officials and national partners such as AARP, the National Council on Aging, United Way of America, National Disability Institute and others in an outreach effort to the retiree and veterans’ communities through the summer.

“We still have over 5 million nationwide who haven’t filed,” Riley said. “In New Hampshire there’s still 24,000. We think some people may not understand they need to file so we’re working with places like senior centers to help the people they serve understand that they need to file by Oct. 15 to receive a check. By law we need to send out all checks by the end of they year and we need time to process them.”

IRS statistics indicate about 74 percent of people in these groups are accounted for.

Of the top cities in New Hampshire and Maine with potential recipients who have not yet filed, Manchester is number one at 2,453 and Portland tops Maine with 1,891.

“The IRS will calculate eligibility and the payment amount, however, many retirees and veterans do not normally file a tax return because their benefits are not taxable,” Riley said.

Riley also stressed to retirees that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received. The stimulus payment is not taxable. Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again.

For all taxpayers, the IRS has issued 76.5 million payments worth $63.8 billion based on 2007 tax returns processed so far. The agency expects to issue 124 million payments to Americans by year’s end. Eligible individuals are receiving up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

Riley also reminds people that it has more than 400 local Taxpayer Assistance Centers operating normal business hours Monday through Friday. These centers can provide assistance to retirees and veterans trying to receive their payments. A list for addresses and office hours can be found at “Contact My Local IRS Office” at www.irs.gov.

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